Sym Wolf Classic 150 on the way.

[EarsOnWheels_imp]

Spotted on Instagram

[ClassicVW_imp]

Looks like it could be fun for a few months, then I'd probably tire of it. Not a long term solution anyway. 10 years from now ( heck, probably 40 years if the past CBs are any indication ) the CBs will still be going strong and the Wolf will be in a landfill.

[Rolls_imp]

Looks like it could be fun for a few months, then I'd probably tire of it. Not a long term solution anyway. 10 years from now ( heck, probably 40 years if the past CBs are any indication ) the CBs will still be going strong and the Wolf will be in a landfill.

I get that it's not going to be the right bike for some folks and that you'd tire quickly of it. But tell me more about your knock on its durability (or reliability?) or whatever leads you to think it'd end up in a landfill.

It doesn't strike me that way. Seems well built (SYM built the original CB125s under contract for Honda for years) and is now improved with modern updates like a disc brake, CDI ignition and a bright halogen headlight.

Is it the high revs the little one-lunger must endure? The original Honda design is a paragon of simplicity and has proven to be extremely durable and reliable. A mild state of tune and a ceramic-coated cylinder promise ruthless durability—even beyond the original CB125.

Seems like for the right owners, whether their only bike, or as a unique machine in the portfolio of an enthusiast, it would find a lot of love, rather than be headed for the landfill.

[ClassicVW_imp]

Well, I'm not looking that hard at it because I'm not buying one, but things I've seen owners report are- waiting three months for a replacement speedometer and finally having the dealer take one off another bike because it didn't arrive. Vibration problems with the handlebars, the kick starter, the turn signals. Improperly shielded clutch cable that got sliced. Turn signal switches not working.

Plus, there's supposedly only one U.S. importer. What happens if he goes out of business or loses interest in the brand? You're not going to be able to call Bike Bandit or David Silver for parts if the official importer's supply dries up. In any event, I bet you couldn't get parts for it in 10 years no matter what happens.

[the Ferret]

A small dealer network is one of the reasons I won't buy a Ducati, Aprilia, BMW, KTM, or a Moto Guzzi, no matter how good their bikes are. Just something that is important to me, even if I don't use them very often. I learned that lesson the few times I needed my Triumph dealer and from trailering my son's Ducati to and from the nearest Duc dealer hours from our house. As a matter of fact with a Honda/Yamaha dealer with a mechanic I trust within 10 miles of my house, I'd be hard pressed to buy anything other than a Honda or Yamaha.

[Rolls_imp]

Thanks, Classic. That helps me understand your conclusion. I'm not in the market, either, so not motivated to research too hard, but I've seen mostly positive reviews and low cost fixes for odd issues like the signals and switches. The popularity & urban utility of single cylinder bikes, both new and classic, that I see around here bodes well for the future of this bike, so I'd come to a different conclusion, but I understand now how you come to yours. Thx for clarifying!

[ClassicVW_imp]

NP Rolls. I'm only stating what the owners have said. I have nothing against the bike personally, sorry if I sounded like a hater, I do hope they get the issues sorted out.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

[Nemo_imp]

No chance of the CB1100 going up for sale, that's a keeper at present. I can't think of any good reason to let it go other than if something strange happens.

The Wolf Classis is going to be for me to play with, it's really and truly a 1970's-technology machine. It was a lot less money than either the BMW G310R or the Kawi Z750; the G310R would have lost huge value in the first week and provided very little recompense in terms of being a "keeper" with a high-value reward factor per ride. I calculated the Z750 would be doing little more than duplicating what my F800GS and FZ8 already do, and much better.

There's just enough space to tuck it into the garage without having to let any other bikes go. It'll do very, very well in the tight urban environment here in SoCal; I see these quite often, zipping through the canyons and boulevards.

The fork is extremely soft and the shocks are not too good (about as soft as the CB1100s to be honest) but I can correct that stuff very easily. There is a huge aftermarket for these, they are crazy popular in Asia, and also in burgs like Chicago, Detroit, Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, and other "Hipster" enclaves where they're considered very cool but "earth-friendly" transpo.

It's got an H4 headlight so should be fairly visible, and could be ridden off-road or on the sidewalk rather easily should the need arise! Makes a great pit bike, or something to hang on the back of the RV, too.

Sometimes you just don't want to have to muscle all that heavy bike around.

Birds it's basically a CB 125 bumped to 150cc. 15 hp, 9 ft lbs torque, 65 mph top speed claimed.

Motorcycle Classics ( which I subscribe to) tested one awhile back. They said it was a nice little bike.

Exactly, made under license from Honda in Taiwan. Apparently very reliable, they are used for basic transpo every day over there. This is actually considered a pretty big bike by their standards.

That's a great looking little bike! I'm amazed that with carbs and an 80s era electronic ignition that it manages to pass current California C.A.R.B. standards.

I like it!

I'm kinda partial to the red/white scheme :

Yep, I liked that one too, but the all-red was a better match to the CB1100 so I went with that.

It should bring back a lot of the experiences of working on and riding something very simple,with just enough power to get around. A lot of narrow roads and hills around here, should be about right for a trip to the store for a quart of milk, or a spin to the coffee house for an espresso.

85 mpg, too, lol
One other thing I should have mentioned straightaway, it is a great training bike, would not hesitate to take this thing off road as far as dirt roads and just lock up the back, pitch it around, and so on. Long as there aren't any bad bumps it may as well be a Scrambler.

This bike has full-size wheels, 18" front/17" rear so it's going to handle roads pretty well, I should think.

Famous last words.

[nhawk7504_imp]

Sym Classic; It looks nice and my '74 Kami 80 did too.



Made in Thailand with the same motor as the Hodaka. It was too inexpensively built. "Looked" like a dirt bike. The fuel petcock leaked like crazy. Just weeped out as I rode and dripped onto the motor. Also bogged like crazy and had a top end hit, if you can call it that. My brother pushed it off a railroad bridge along the side of the tracks when he got sick of the suspension doing nothing. - Having said that, as long as you enjoy the Sym. My test ride was too scary in traffic; "This thing is going to kill me". In the countryside maybe.